Piano



Aug. 15, 1933. F. P. DELL l-:T Al. 1,922,530

PIANO Filed Aug. 25. 19.31

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Patented ug. l5, 1933 fr 1,922,53iliy i 11,922,530vl Y r PIANO 1 Frank P. Dell andrM'ill'iam-fFreemali,I x

Philadelphia, v Pa.

Application August z5, 1931. serial No. 559,208

v8 Claims.

This invention relates to a piano and has particular reference to the provision of an improved cover for the strings and action of apiano specically designed to act as an auxiliary sounding surface.

As is well known, the strings and actioncf pianos, particularly grand pianosbecome rap- Further objects of the invention relating tothe provision of an arrangement which will not interfere withtuning, and relating to details of construction will become apparent from the following description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one modification of the invention, the piano lid being removed;

2'is a vertical section on the plane indicated by line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the plane indicated by line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the plane indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

The piano of generally standard construction to which the invention is applied is designated 2 and includes the usual sounding boardv 4 and string plate 6 which carries the usual arrangement of tensioned strings.

Above the string plate 6 is located a frame 8 conforming in shape to the interior of the piano. This frame 8 which terminates forwardly substantially coextensively with the `sounding board 4, as indicated in Fig. 4, supports the stretched fabric cover k10 consisting of .woven fabric such as linen or canvas, preferably impregnated with a varnish such as airplane dope or the like which imparts such stillness thereto as to enable it to vibrate and thereby act as an auxiliary sounding board. The frame is held in raised position through the use of brackets 12 carrying pointed pins .14 which rest on the sounding board, passing, where necessary, through suitable openings 15 in the string plate 6. Soft beading 16 surrounds the frame 8 where it lies adjacent thewalls of the pianoso` as to maintain it spacedV from the walls and prevent the transmissionof movements between the frame 8 and the sounding board. ,j

At its front end, the frame 8 is grooved as at 18 to clear the struts of the string frame, with which it should not contact. Since it terminates -60` at the front end of the sounding board it Ydoes not interfere with the tuning. 4

The music rack 22 Yhas a portion 24 extending rearwardly over the iront of frame 8 without contacting therewith. The rack is removably 65 secured in position by the provision of extensions 26 which rest in sockets in the side Walls of the piano frame. `The lid 20 is arranged to cover the piano in the usual fashion.

It will be obvious that numerous changes may -7O be made in details of the invention without del parting from the spirit thereof as defined in the' following claims. For example, the cover 10 may consist of a number of separate pieces of fabric carried by one or more frames.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a. piano having a frame, strings supported therein, anda sounding board extending adjacent the strings on one side thereof, a tone sustaining, stretched '50 and stifened fabric extending adjacent thev strings on the opposite side thereof. 'Y

2. In combination withl f a piano having la frame, strings supported horizontally therein, and a sounding rboard extending below the S5 d strings and adjacent thereto, a 'cover for thek strings consisting of a tone Sustaining, stretched and stiiiened fabric extending thereover.

3. In combination vwith a piano having a frame, strings supported therein, and a sound- 9 ing board vextending adjacent the strings on one side thereof,Y Vtone sustaining, stretched and stiffened fabric extending [adjacent the strings on the oppositeside thereof,l and means insulating the fabric against transmission of 95 vibrations to or from the piano frame.

r4.1m combination with a pianohaving'a frame, strings supported VhorizontallyA therein; and a sounding board-extending below the strings 1u and adjacent thereto, a cover for the strings consisting of a tone sustaining, stretched and stiffened fabric 'extendingthereoven and means insulating the cover againsty transmission of vibrations to or from' the piano frame.

v 5,'In combination Witha piano having a frame,strings supported horizontally therein, and a soundingV board extending rbelow thel strings and adjacent thereto,fa cover for the ,d strings *consistingv of a tone sustaining, stretched 1fl0` strings and adjacent thereto, a cover for the strings consisting of a tone sustaining, stretched and stiienedjfabric extending thereover, said cover being supported by a frame carried by the sounding board by means of pins, secured to the fabric supporting frame and pointed at theirv lowerrends, resting on the sounding board.

7. In combination With a piano having a frame, strings supported horizontally therein,

and. a sounding board extending below the strings and adjacent thereto, a coverfor the strings consisting of a tone sustaining, stretched and stiffened fabric extending thereover, the

cover terminating forwardly substantially coex:

tensively with the sounding board. 8. In combination with a piano having a frame, strings supported horizontally rtherein, y

and a sounding board extendingv below the strings and adjacent thereto, a tone sustaining cover for the strings-'-Capable of sustained-vibration at musicalfrequencies, and means insulating the cover against transmission of vibrations to or from the piano frame. y

FRANK P. DELL. 1 WILLIAM FREEMAN. 

